GERMAN WWII PANZER MAJOR’S KNIGHTS CROSS GROUPING.

A stunning grouping of documents belonging to Oberst Theodor Graf Schimmelmann Von Lindenburg, Commander of Panzer Regiment 15. The group comprises large presentation Knights Cross citation, standard red folder created by the artisan Frieda Thirsch. The interior velum folder reads ‘IM NAMEN DES DEUTSCHEN VOLKS VERLEIHE ICH DEM MAJOR THEODOR GRAF SCHIMMELMANN VON LINDENBURG’ (In the name of the German people I award you the Knights Cross to the Iron Cross) dated ‘14th May 1941’ the original pen signature of Adolf Hitler, he was awarded the Knights Cross for his actions in the invasion of Yugoslavia, The exterior folder having minor scuffs to the edges, excellent complete gilt to the central down swept winged Reich eagle. Both the front inner and the rear inner areas of velum within the folder have suffered slightly from dampness with some light damp stains to the edges of the inner velum document. The thin thread of Morocco leather that holds the velum document in place is in situ with the base part adrift from the main body of the folder. The gilt lettering of the recipient is mint bright. Accompanied by the following documents. The preliminary A5 size award document for the Knights Cross to the Iron Cross, folded once, rank at that time Major, unit designation KDRII./PZ.RGT.15 dated ‘14th May 1941, pen signed by General Field Marshall Von Brauchitsch. The large unfolded beautifully hand decorated formal citation for the German Cross in gold, dated ‘February 43’ at this stage rank of Oberst Leutnant, pen signed by Field Marshall Keitel, to the upper part of the citation the pre printed in gilt image of the German Cross in gold, all of the lettering of the recipient hand applied in maroon ink. The preliminary award document for the German Cross in gold, A5 size, once folded with the autopen signature of Field Marshall Keitel. The A5 size Winter Medal in the East citation, once folded, the A5 size Wound Badge in black citation, non folded, both as a member of Panzer Regiment 15. The large A4 citation, printed in the field, folded once for the citation to the Bar to the WWI Iron Cross 2nd class dated ‘18th September 1939’. Large illuminated double folded promotion document from Hauptmann to Major, pre printed gilded lettering at the top of the citation, dated ‘1st April 1939’ with pen signature of Von Brauchitsch and pre printed signature of Adolf Hitler. A5 size citation for the 1st Oktober 1938 Medal with Bar. A5 size citation unfolded for the Third Reich awarded 1914-18 War Honour Cross. A5 size citation, twice folded, for the December 1919 award of the Iron Cross 1st class. The large A4 size citation, illuminated type, dated ‘October 1916 for the award of the Iron Cross 2nd class, four times folded. An unusual award for 2 Finnish awards of WWI, both A4 size, twice folded. Two A5 size letters, one dated ’24.5.1941, which is a letter on the headed paper of the 11th Panzer Division to the recipient informing him that this letter accompanies the preliminary award document for the award of the Knights Cross to the Iron Cross, and a later dated 1944 letter A5 size, torn edges, informing him of the arrival of the formal last document of the Knights Cross to the Iron Cross, why such a gap existed between the award of the Knights Cross and the delivery of the Formal document is unknown when the signature of Adolf Hitler on the formal document is definitely 1941 to 1942 period, A very nice portrait photograph of the recipient wearing his standard 4 pocket tunic, hatless, wearing Knights Cross and German Cross in gold, recipient pen signed along the base of the photograph with a long inscription on the hard card below the photograph. A letter from the Burgermeister of Stadt Sagan congratulating him on the award of the Knights Cross. Other accompanying paperwork relating to the award of the Finnish medal and a Stadt Hamburg award for 1918. A letter to Schimmelmann presumably from the officers of his regiment, which all of the officers and ncos have signed. Documents from his childhood. The original weekly printed list of the German Cross in gold awardees with his name within the list. Two awards, one dated ‘1966 another dated ‘1960’ for the Order of St.Johannis (St.John of Jerusalem). A large quantity of modern translations describing every part of the career of Schimmelmann including a highly interesting 1989 U.S.Navy post graduate school thesis being a case study of the application of battle by the 11th Panzer Division during the Chir River battles 7th to the 19th December 1942 in which Von Schimmelmann took part. This is an amazing résumé and collection of documents to a Knights Cross and German Cross in gold winner who served with distinction in WW1 the whole of WWII on various fronts within the same armoured regiment, which include the Invasion of Yugoslavia, battle for Moscow, battle of Kursk, a huge amount of actions on the Russian front, then further actions in the West Accompanying the group two books one being the wartime history of Panzer Regiment 15 part of the 11th Panzer Division all in German, 300 pages of text and photographs, many diagrams of order of battle published 1976, a further work on the history of the 11th Panzer Division, half in German half in English, 526 pages full of black and white photographs with many mentions of Schimmelmann within this and the previous work.

Code: 81672